Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact

Tom Flanagan

Tom Flanagan

Director of Enterprise and Commercialisation

Tom is the Director of Enterprise and Commercialisation at University College Dublin where he leads the team that supports research collaborations and knowledge transfer with industry, that assists entrepreneurs to launch and scale new high-tech businesses and that supports UCD academics to deliver global consulting services.

He has responsibility for NovaUCD, the premier start-up incubator in Ireland, NexusUCD, a unique on-campus collaboration space for companies engaged in research activities with the University, and ConsultUCD, a new managed consultancy service, which has been established to facilitate access and support the engagement between business, industry and UCD.

He worked in the UK, Canada and the US in various roles in product design, marketing and sales and led a $100 million/year consulting and systems integration business as Vice-President for Canada and Central US at Nortel.

He returned to Ireland and established a successful management consulting business before joining DIT as Head of Innovation. He created Hothouse, the first Innovation and Knowledge Transfer Centre at DIT. Hothouse has helped entrepreneurs develop over 400 sustainable businesses, raise €195 million in investment and create 1700 jobs.

He also launched the Dublin Region Innovation Consortium successfully commercialising research for five other institutions; ITTD; ITB; IADT; NCI and DIAS, to deliver over 140 licences and 30 spin-out companies.

Tom was seconded to Knowledge Transfer Ireland to review the National IP Protocol and contributed to the Irish Government’s 5-year strategy Innovation 2020 through his work on the Government’s Research Prioritisation panel.

He also chaired the Irish Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Group and served on the boards of Dublin City Enterprise and several high-tech companies.

He was also recruited onto the H2020 ProgressTT project to mentor Knowledge Transfer Offices across Europe for enhanced performance before joining UCD.

He has also championed one of his patents, ‘SONET Rings’ to worldwide deployment, changing how telecommunications networks were designed.

Tom graduated with an honours engineering degree from UCD, and an MSc from Aston University and an Executive MBA from Northwestern University, Chicago.

Tom is the Director of Enterprise and Commercialisation and leads the NovaUCD team that supports research collaborations and knowledge transfer with industry, assists entrepreneurs to launch and scale new high-tech businesses and supports UCD academics to deliver global consulting services.

Dr Ciaran O’Beirne

Manager, Knowledge Transfer

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Dr Ciaran O’Beirne

Manager, Knowledge Transfer

Dr Ciaran O’Beirne is the Manager, Technology Transfer and heads up the team responsible for identifying, protecting and commercialising intellectual property (IP) arising from UCD research projects either through licensing and/or new venture creation.

Ciaran also plays a lead role in business development activities and in negotiating IP terms in various agreements between UCD and industry partners.

Ciaran’s career has included working as a Pharmaceutical Assessor with the Irish Medicines Board, as a Research Scientist in Abbott Laboratories and as the Assistant Director for Product Evaluations with the American Dental Association.

Ciaran graduated with a PhD in Biochemistry from Trinity College Dublin and an MBA from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Ciaran is the Manager, Technology Transfer and heads up the team responsible for identifying, protecting and commercialising intellectual property arising from UCD research projects either through licensing and/or new venture creation.

Dr Stacey Kelly

Stacey is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of University College Dublin research outputs within the food, agriculture and veterinary research areas.

She is responsible for fostering the development of a strong Intellectual Property (IP) pipeline in the above research areas by supporting researchers at grant proposal stages and in drafting business plans and commercialisation roadmaps to ensure that the resulting IP is commercialised via licensing and/or start-up creation to achieve maximum strategic impact.

Stacey previously worked as a research scientist with Food for Health Ireland, a multi-party collaborative programme incorporating expertise from four leading academic institutes (UCC, UCD, Teagasc and UL) in association with four industry partners (Carbery Group, Dairygold Food Ingredients Ltd, Glanbia plc and Kerry Group plc) to develop new functional food ingredients and products from milk-derived bioactive.

Prior to this ,she worked as a patent scientist with Oriflame R&D where she supported the identification of IP arising from NPD projects alongside the patent activity of a dedicated skin research team. She has previous experience working with the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory in the genotyping of scrapie susceptibility SNPs within the Irish sheep flock.

Stacey graduated with a BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Dublin Institute of Technology and a PhD in Immunology with Trinity College Dublin.

Stacey is a Case Manager for Technology Transfer and is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of UCD research outputs within the food, agriculture and veterinary research areas.

Dr Hugh Hayden

Dr Hugh Hayden

Case Manager, Knowledge Transfer, Physical Sciences and Engineering

Hugh is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of UCD research outputs within the physical sciences and engineering research areas.

He is responsible for fostering the development of a strong Intellectual Property (IP) pipeline in these research areas by supporting researchers at grant proposal stages and in drafting business plans and commercialisation roadmaps to ensure that the resulting IP is commercialised via licensing and/or start-up creation to achieve maximum strategic impact.

With over 15 years of experience in the material science R&D, including developing a number of patents and technology which were licenced to various industry sectors (automotive, aerospace, ceramics) Hugh has extensive experience in technology development of IP from the university sector.

Hugh has previously worked in UCD in a large European project involving over 300 SMEs and start-ups across North West Europe, working with key stakeholders to develop new products and markets. This involved working with the start-ups and SMEs on product development activities, including, validations and certification, market assessments, supporting business plans etc.

Hugh’s extensive technology transfer experience includes spinning out a start-up from an academic centre which developed novel smart-coatings and working with industry centres on product and process improvement.

Hugh graduated with a PhD from Trinity College Dublin in Material Science and with an MBA from Dublin City University

Hugh is a Case Manager for Technology Transfer and is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of UCD research outputs within the physical sciences and engineering research areas.

Dr Ena Walsh

Life Sciences

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Dr Ena Walsh

Life Sciences

Ena is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of University College Dublin research outputs within the life sciences area.

She is responsible for the development and negotiation of licensing opportunities with industry. She plays a key role in fostering the development of a strong Intellectual Property portfolio and high-tech spin-out companies from the University by supporting the business plan and commercialisation roadmap development by advising on how licensed University intellectual property can have a maximum strategic impact and by supporting fund-raising for early-stage ventures.

With over 25 years experience in the life science area, 15 years of which were spent in the international pharmaceutical industry, Ena has significant senior management experience in both multinationals and startups. Ena held product and business development roles in Elan Corporation, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and the start-up, PharmaNeuroBoost.

As a consultant, she supported Irish and international companies and Universities in the development and commercialisation of life science technologies in the pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic sectors. Ena has also worked with agencies (Enterprise Ireland, Forfas, Invest Northern Ireland and InterTrade Ireland) and Venture Capital firms. Ena was a founding member and Chairperson (2001-2004) of BioConnect Ireland.

Ena is a Case Manager for Technology Transfer and is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of UCD research outputs within the life sciences area.

John Wrigley

Administrative Assistant, Knowledge Transfer

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John Wrigley

Administrative Assistant, Knowledge Transfer

John provides administrative support to University College Dublin’s technology transfer team. He maintains the database of intellectual property, providing statistical information and attending to the supervision of patenting costs.

John has many years of experience in office management and administration. Before joining University College Dublin he worked with Aer Lingus and has also worked in academic administration in UCD’s School of Public Health.

John graduated with Bachelor of Arts (History and French) from University College Dublin and a Masters of Business Administration in Aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida.

Helen McGrath

Helen McGrath

Operations Manager

As Operations Manager Helen is the first point of contact for entrepreneurs and new ventures wishing to locate at NovaUCD, the University’s Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs, or established companies wishing to locate at NexusUCD, the University’s Industry Partnership Centre.

Helen works with the Office’s facilities team in managing the physical space in both centres ensuring the needs of clients are met. She also has responsibility for the key financial areas of the Office.

Prior to joining University College Dublin Helen worked in both the public and private sector and was previously Chief Executive Officer, Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and National Donor Services Manager, Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

Helen has a degree in management from the Institute of Public Administration and has completed courses in communications, business and company law.

Helen, Operations Manager, is the first point of contact for entrepreneurs and new ventures wishing to locate at NovaUCD, the University’s Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs, or established companies wishing to locate at NexusUCD, the University’s Industry Partnership Centre.

Tom Hamill

Tom Hamill

Facilities Manager

Tom’s role is to support the client companies based at NovaUCD and at NexusUCD and he is responsible for the management of the physical facilities of both these centres.

Tom has also worked in UCD Buildings & Services where he worked across all sections from technical services to emergency first response. He has also worked in a number of start-up companies in the Dublin area.

Tom graduated with a BSc (Surveying) from Trinity College Dublin and an MA (Geographical Analysis) from NUI Maynooth.

Tom, Facilities Manager, supports client companies based at NovaUCD and at NexusUCD and he is responsible for the management of the physical facilities of both centres.

Simon Factor

Simon Factor

Senior Manager, New Ventures

Simon is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of University College Dublin research outputs within the ICT research area.

During the last 15-years, Simon has founded a number of successful companies in the digital media and analytics space and has extensive experience in the translation of research to market through start-ups, product development and licensing. As a managing director, Simon has engaged in commercial academic partnerships through national funding schemes and within larger EU consortia under FP7 programmes.

Simon has also worked as a technology consultant to public and private organisations on matters relating to digital transformation and ICT including the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Irish Film Institute.

Prior to this, he was based in Los Angeles as a Sales Director for Audio Processing Technology Inc, managing the sale and licensing of digital audio compression technology built upon IP developed at Queens University Belfast.

Simon has won several awards for entrepreneurship and innovation including the Dublin Chamber of Commerce David Manley Award, ICT Innovation Award (UK) and a number of Digital Media Awards for product innovation and startups.

Simon graduated with an MSc in International Business from Trinity College Dublin where his focus was on the transformative impact of digital media and technology on cultural heritage institutions and media organisations in Europe.

Simon is a Case Manager for Technology Transfer and is responsible for managing the identification, protection and commercialisation of UCD research outputs within the ICT research area.

Caroline Gill

Caroline Gill

Innovation Education Manager

Caroline is responsible for providing and supporting a variety of innovation related education programmes and initiatives across the University which also includes outreach to second-level education.

Programmes and initiatives offered include specialised training courses for graduate students, researchers, technology transfer professionals and senior executives and managers from industry. These programmes are designed to help develop professional skills in the management and commercial exploitation of technology and innovative concepts.

Caroline also runs the annual TEDxUCD event, to help showcase the UCD community, staff, students and alumni.

Prior to joining University College Dublin Caroline worked in the IT industry for 10 years in the area of enterprise software and business consulting. She worked internationally with SAP, Accenture and Avnet Technology Solutions and has experience in a range of sectors including FMCG, oil & gas, manufacturing, financial services, software industry, hospitality and publishing. Caroline was also a certified SAP Software Consultant & Trainer who responsible for delivery of courses to the industry in the US and the EU.

Caroline graduated with a BA (Economics) and an MBS from University College Dublin.

Caroline, Innovation Education Manager, is responsible for providing and supporting a variety of innovation related education programmes and initiatives across the University which also includes outreach to second-level education.

Elizabeth Nolan

Head of Consultancy Services

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Elizabeth Nolan

Head of Consultancy Services

Elizabeth is responsible for developing a professional and commercial managed consultancy service to facilitate access and support engagement between business, industry and University College Dublin. This includes facilitating and supporting UCD academics and professional staff to engage in consultancy with external clients.

Elizabeth is an experienced business consultant who has worked for over 15 years in consultancy in Ireland. Elizabeth’s clients included large Irish and UK banks, life assurance companies and other financial service companies.

Elizabeth has also worked in several large organisations across the public sector in Ireland and held a senior strategic and development role with Davy, Ireland’s largest stockbroker and wealth manager.

Elizabeth graduated with a BSc (Chemistry) and a MBA from University College Dublin and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

Elizabeth Nolan, Head of Consultancy Services, is responsible for developing a professional and commercial managed consultancy service to facilitate access and support engagement between business, industry and UCD. This includes facilitating and supporting UCD academics and professional staff to engage in consultancy with external clients.

Micéal Whelan

Communications Manager

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Micéal Whelan

Communications Manager

Micéal is responsible for communicating University College Dublin’s innovation mission, vision, objectives, activities and achievements to internal and external stakeholders using a variety of communication channels.

He is responsible for managing UCD's innovation press office and media relations which includes providing a PR service to NovaUCD and NexusUCD clients.

Prior to joining University College Dublin Micéal worked for Royal Dutch Shell as a petroleum engineer in the Netherlands and in the Sultanate of Oman. During this time he was a member and leader of multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams charged with the exploration and development of hydrocarbon fields in both offshore and onshore locations.

Micéal also worked in Shell’s headquarters in The Hague as a member of a consultancy group whose objective was to provide global Shell companies with strategic solutions to their complex technical, operational and investment problems.

Micéal graduated with a BSc (Hons) from University College Dublin, an MSc (Petroleum Geology) from Aberdeen University and an MBA from University College Dublin.

Micéal is a member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII).

Micéal, Communications Manager, is responsible for communicating UCD’s innovation mission, vision, objectives, activities and achievements to internal and external stakeholders using a variety of communication channels. He is responsible for managing NovaUCD’s press office and media relations which includes providing a PR service to NovaUCD and NexusUCD clients and UCD spin-out companies.